Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.
Return to Calvary
The Extra Cross (How to Radicalize Your Future)
Resources
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
Saturday, April 29, 2023
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC
“Allegro in D” • Antonio Vivaldi / Frackenpohl
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
“JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED”: A HYMN CYCLE
“Praise Him! Praise Him!” • 249, st. 1-2
“It Is Well With My Soul” • 530, st. 1-2
“My Jesus, I Love Thee” • 321, st. 1-2, 4
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Rick Loenser, Pioneer Member
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” • 290, chorus only
OFFERTORY
“Sinfonia in A Minor” • Georg Telemann / Matthews
CHILDREN’S STORY
Sanna Ortega, AA Student
SCRIPTURE READING
RaeAnne Prentice, Pioneer Member
Luke 9:23-25 NIV
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Entrance of the Queen of Sheba” (from “Solomon”) • Georg Frideric Handel / Fisher
MESSAGE
“Return to Calvary: The Extra Cross (How to Radicalize Your Future)
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
CONNECT CARD & PRAYER
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328
CLOSING MUSIC
“O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High” • David Johnson
OPENING MUSIC
“Allegro in D” • Antonio Vivaldi / Frackenpohl
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
PRAISE
“I Will Follow You”
“Be Thou My Vision”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Rick Loenser, Pioneer Member
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Entrance of the Queen of Sheba” (from “Solomon”) • Georg Frideric Handel / Fisher
OFFERTORY
“Sinfonia in A Minor” • Georg Telemann / Matthews
CHILDREN’S STORY
Sanna Ortega, AA Student
PRAISE
“The Wonderful Cross”
“Total Praise”
MESSAGE
“Return to Calvary: The Extra Cross (How to Radicalize Your Future)
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
CONNECT CARD & PRAYER
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328
CLOSING MUSIC
“O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High” • David Johnson
VBS at Niles Westside Church
Offering for June 28, 2025
Michigan Advance Partners
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).
I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.
When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.
Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.
Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries